Memberships and initiatives

the Second AP Fund is both a member and sponsor of various Swedish and international initiatives in the fields of sustainability, ethics and corporate governance.

ACGA (Asia Corporate Governance Association)
ACGA is an independent, non-profit membership organisation dedicated to working with investors, companies and regulators in the implementation of effective corporate governance practices throughout Asia. ACGA was founded in 1999 from a belief that corporate governance is fundamental to the long-term development of Asian economies and capital markets.
www.acga-asia.org

CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)
The CDP is an initiative whereby some one hundred major institutional investors demand that the world's largest publicly quoted companies shall report on their emissions of greenhouse-gases and other data related to how they manage the climate challenge. The CDP aims to enhance the efficiency of the data gathering process by involving a large number of investors in signing up to a collective request for data and reports on the emission of greenhouse gases.
www.cdproject.net

EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)
The EITI is an initiative sponsored by the extractive industries, especially oil companies. The need for transparent reporting and control is particularly important in countries that are rich in natural resources, but led by weak governments. More transparent reporting by the companies about what they pay and the governments of the host countries about the size of the revenues generated by the oil, gas and mining industries increases transparency within society and improves the prospects for economic control. In partnership with other international investors, the Fund supports EITI, sending a signal to countries and companies that are engaged in extractive operations that the shareholders place a value on the clear and open reporting.
www.eiti.org

The Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development
The Second AP Fund sponsors 'the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development', which is an important part of the Fund's profile within the field of sustainability. The international award is given in recognition of achievements in sustainable development and was awarded for the first time in the autumn of 2000, at which time it was known as the Gothenburg International Environment Award. An independent jury selects the award winners within the various Award criteria. Award winners have ranged from environmental branding organisations and cooperatives to politicians and corporate executives. The Award is presented in association with Gothenburg City and thirteen other sponsors, one of which is the Second AP Fund, the others being Carl Bennet AB, Christian Berner Invest, Elanders AB, Eldan Recycling, Folksam, Götaverken Miljö, Handelsbanken, KF, Nordea, PEAB, DB Schenker AB and SKF. The theme for 2012 year's Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development was closing the loop and was awarded to Michael Biddle and Björn Söderberg for their significant efforts in this area.
www.gothenburgaward.com

Sustainable Value Creation Initiative
In autumn 2009, the Second AP Fund joined up with fourteen other Swedish institutional investors to establish the Sustainable Value Creation Initiative, with the aim of encouraging Swedish publicly quoted companies to adopt a sustainable business approach and create long-term value. The Fund's main reason for participating in this initiative is a belief in the importance of encouraging Swedish companies to actively manage the environmental and social impact of their business operations, with a view to managing risks and costs, as well as exploiting the potential business opportunities. The investors behind this initiative were presented with the 2010 Financial Hearings Award for Årets Samspel, an award shared with Capital Market Day in Shanghai.
www.hallbartvardeskapande.se

ICGN (International Corporate Governance Network)
ICGN is a global network that focuses on corporate governance issues. ICGN is committed to ensuring that shareholders acquire enhanced rights to exercise their votes at AGMs and gain a stronger position with respect to corporate executive managements. ICGN drives development in the corporate governance field by formulating recommendations about responsible governance. ICGN also promotes a broader interface and exchange of knowledge between countries and investors.
www.icgn.org

IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change)
IIGCC is a forum for European investors on climate issues. The Group is committed to voicing investors' views on climate issues and to helping companies, government agencies and fellow investors appreciate the long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change. The climate issue is of crucial importance to the Second AP Fund as a long-term investor. Currently, there is considerble uncertainty about future regulations and the framework envisaged for cutting greenhouse emissions and stimulating alternative sources of energy. This makes it difficult for companies to invest profitably and for investors to predict risk and return. IIGCC provides an efficient platform for promoting investors' wishes concerning the climate issue. It is also a good way for the Fund to stay abreast of the latest information on various climate-related investments.
www.iigcc.org

IÄF (Institutionella ägares förening)
Institutionella ägares förening (the Institutional Investors' Association) for regulatory issues in the stock market is a collaborative venture that includes the AP Funds, insurance companies and bank-related funds. The institutional investors' association was formed to facilitate cooperation on the development of best practice in corporate governance and to influence the development of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code and other guidelines. It is vital work that influences the development of and confidence in the Swedish stock market and publicly quoted companies.

SWESIF (Swedish Forum for Sustainable Investment)
SWESIF is an independent networking forum for organisations working to promote or engaged in sustainable investment in Sweden. SWESIF aims to increase awareness of and interest in sustainable investment among institutional investors and asset managers. Sustainable investment embraces investment that, as well as financial factors, incorporates factors such as the environment, social responsibility and corporate governance, or other global factors, in the investment process. SWESIF's aim is to see that sustainable investment becomes an established item on the agendas of decision-makers in politics, industry and the financial market, and to ensure that sustainable investment is awarded general recognition. SWESIF is committed to an exchange of the latest information, ideas and expertise, while also promoting increased networking and cooperation between members and other interested parties.
www.swesif.org

PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment)
A global initiative for institutional investors, the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment were launched in 2006. The idea was to encourage investors to address ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) issues in their investment decisions and, when exercising their ownership rights, to thereby create value on behalf of their beneficiaries. The signing of these Principles by the Second AP Fund should be seen as a declaration of its support of the PRI, and of its intention to observe these Principles within the broader framework of its assignment. The Fund believes that environmental and ethical issues form a crucial part of the investment process. Furthermore, the PRI also help to drive development in the ESG field and contribute to an exchange of expertise on ESG issues, while improving contact between responsible investors worldwide. Within the general framework of the PRI, the Fund has participated in a project with a number of private equity companies on the joint development of improved principles for dealing with ethical and environmental issues associated with investment in and ownership of companies.
www.unpri.org

The Second AP Fund also participates in other cooperative ventures and networks, with a view to promoting good governance and influencing shareholder value in the long term.